New Life and New Beginnings

On Thursday we received another batch of 3,500 one-day chicks for our chicken run at My Father's House in Nyangwena. A lot of new life that hopefully in about 5 weeks will generate income for the orphan homes. These chicks will have to give their lives so that we can help support the orphans in the homes. Without knowing it these chicks follow one of Jesus' commandments.

It is always amazing to see these little chicks in such big numbers and how they always seem to bunch together. They seek comfort and warmth by huddling close together in great numbers. When I reflected on our sermon from this morning, which was about unity in the church, I had to think about the chicks that find great comfort in being together. It would be wonderful as we as Christians would be able to find the same kind of comfort and strength as the chicks from being closely together. However, as the pastor mentioned in his sermon, often we let pride get in the way of maintaining the unity in our church. We don't like someone because he/she talks different or has a life-style that we don't agree with. There are all kinds of reasons why we create different groups and "churches" within The Church. But we were reminded that Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:2-6 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and one Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." We have to live out what Paul writes here, we just can't sit still and watch what is happening but we are called to be in the middle of things and show our unity to the world. That unity and our humbleness will be an expression of God's love for the world.

Jesus gave His life for us so that we may live forever. We were given a New Life by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ though we did not deserve any of it. Therefore we should be extremely thankful and at the same time very humbled. And when we're humble we put other people and their needs first instead of our own. If we would live out what Paul wrote to the Ephesians there would only be one church, The Church, the body of Christ. I feel that here in Zambia but also in North America and around the world there is a great need for unity in the Christian church. How can we stand strong in the face of the battle that goes around this world if we are so divided? Let us be completely humble and gentle; patient, bearing with one another in love. That would be a great beginning of being the body of Jesus Christ, His bride!

Another new beginning was in the air this past Friday when the Esther School assessed a group of about 55 little kids for their new pre-school for next year which starts in September. Machteld, Lucinda and some others helped out with the different activities that the little kids had to go through to assess their readiness for school. It was great to see the enthusiasm of the kids and the anticipation in the eyes of their mamas. It was also great to see that some of the mamas from My Father's House were volunteering to "man" some of the stations. It is encouraging to see how the community is coming together for these kinds of activities. The Esther School is really making a difference in Nyangwena and the lives of the little kids that have the privilege of being able to attend. God is clearly at work in and through the Esther School, providing hope and a new beginning for the kids and the community they are part of.

Finally, there is a new beginning in the air when it comes to our transportation. Yesterday, Humphray left Lusaka by bus and headed to Dar-es-Salaam to pick up our vehicle and drive it back to Lusaka. We hope and pray to see him back here in Lusaka sometime this coming week. By that time, it has been almost 3 months since we purchased the vehicle. It will open a new chapter in our activities here in Zambia and we look forward to the increased mobility and the opportunities that it will provide us with.

Jesus Christ has given us new life by giving up His life on the cross. Let us give our lives for others so they may find eternal life in and through Jesus Christ.